Derby County will honour the iconic 1995/96 season with an exclusive 30th Anniversary Celebration event in the Baseball Lounge when the Rams take on Oxford United on Saturday 18th April (12.30pm kick-off).
The event will celebrate 30 years since our successful 1995/96 season, where the Rams returned to the Premier League under Jim Smith. Members from the promotion-winning side, alongside Jim's family, will share their stories from the campaign, accompanied by a three-course meal and exclusive lounge seating for the Sky Bet Championship fixture.
The Rams secured promotion back to the Premier League on 28th April 1996, thanks to a win against promotion rivals Crystal Palace at the Baseball Ground. A quick goal from Dean Sturridge in the opening minutes was cancelled out as Palace equalised, so it was captain Robin van der Laan’s second-half header which secured the three points for the Rams - crucially ensuring a four-point gap between the sides which could not be caught with only one game left to play in the campaign.
Promotion to the Premier League was the perfect way to mark the start of Jim Smith’s career at Derby County, a feat he also achieved at Oxford United, our opponents on the day of this celebration. The occasion will also give fans a chance to remember the legendary manager, who sadly passed away in 2019.
Confirmed guests joining us as part of the celebration thus far include Darryl Powell and Matt Carbon*, alongside then-assistant coach Steve McClaren, and the family of the late Jim Smith.
Powell, who joined the Rams in 1995/96 and went on to make 196 appearances in black and white, and admitted his excitement for the anniversary celebrations.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to being back at Pride Park for the Oxford fixture and meeting up with some of the old team. We had something very special that year under Jim.
"We've got Matt Carbon in attendance, and all being well, Robbie van der Laan too - hopefully along with Russell Hoult and Sean Flynn, and any of our other teammates who are able to get to Derby.
"As we reach the 30-year anniversary, it’s something I am personally very proud of, and an achievement that should be celebrated.
"That whole era - the promotion, moving to Pride Park, and the outstanding seasons we had under Jim is a testament to him as a manager and a person, and it will be great to see his family again too. I believe we also have Lionel Pickering’s family joining us, too - we forget that without Lionel, none of this would have happened.
"We are hoping to see some old and new faces on 18th April as we look back at that incredible season and its place in Derby County's history books."
Tickets to this special celebration are on sale now, priced at £125pp (ex. VAT) including a three-course meal, players meet and greet and pre-match Q&A, and exclusive match seating directly outside the Baseball Lounge. The lounge itself will be open from 12pm, ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Click here to book or email [email protected].
*participating players subject to change.